Minor%252520Happenings

In this week’s week-ending edition of Minor Happenings, Tony provides a bevy of updates on the walking wounded in the Indians system with players such as Alex Monsalve, Chen-Chang Lee, Shawn Armstrong, Joey Wendle and a half a dozen others. On top of that he provides several comments and insight from the Indians front office on players at Low-A Lake County like Anthony Santander, Eric Haase and others. He also touches on the recent good play of outfielder Tim Fedroff and his big league chances, and provides insight and analysis on the likes of Jeremy Hermida, Jesus Aguilar, Cody Anderson, Jeremy Lucas and others.

In this week’s first edition of the Happenings, I provide an update on what is going on out in Arizona with several players participating in extended spring training. I recently had a chance to sit down with the player development staff and discuss several players and I provide lots of comments from them on players such as D’Vone McClure, Josh McAdams, Tyler Booth, Kieran Lovegrove, Luis Lugo, Dillon Howard, and more. I also provide the details on Cord Phelps’ new role, the plans for Danny Salazar this season, and insight and info on the likes of Tim Fedroff, Jordan Cooper, Enosil Tejeda, Jake Sisco and more.

In this week’s Minor Happenings, Tony talks about the rapid growth of Danny Salazar and his alleged promotion to Columbus and what he needs to work on. He also looks at the return of Matt LaPorta and if his showing to date is any different from last year, provides some detailed comments from the front office on Trevor Bauer’s progression as a pitcher as well as the 411 on extended spring training, and also provides some insight and information on the likes of Preston Guilmet, Justin Toole, Francisco Lindor, Mitch Brown, and more.

In today’s week ending edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the blazing hot return of Low-A Lake County outfielder LeVon Washington, what the plan is for him, and what areas he is making some strides. He also recaps Double-A Akron first baseman Chun Chen’s impressive month and looks at when and how he can be promoted to Triple-A Columbus, shares tons of comments from the front office on several position players at Akron, reviews the great Double-A debut by Will Roberts, the good recovery Tyler Holt has made after some early struggles, the growing legend of Anthony Santander, and more.

In this week’s first edition of Minor Happenings this week, Tony takes a look at several pitchers throughout the organization. Right-hander Jordan Cooper has used last season’s late success as a springboard to a good start to this season and is starting to round into form as a solid pitching prospect, and he touches on where he has improved and what kind of future he may have. In addition to that he provides an update and outlook on Diasuke Matsuzaka, shares some comments made by the front office this past week on the likes of T.J. House, Trey Haley, Austin Adams and others, and also some insight and updates on the progress of the likes of Giovanni Soto, Bret Brach, Jacob Lee, Luis DeJesus and others.

In this week’s second edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the hot start that Akron first baseman Chun Chen is off to, what has changed with his approach, and when he may get to Columbus (or Cleveland). He also has a ton of comments from the front office regarding the Columbus roster on things such as the presence of so many six-year free agents as well as the plans for Carlos Carrasco and others. Finally, he touches on the return of Austin Adams and Trey Haley, the release of Delvi Cid and who may be replacing him, the blistering bat of Jerrud Sabourin, the potential of Dylan Baker and much more.

We settle in with the first Tuesday edition of Minor Happenings of the season today, and with that comes a pretty large update on several players in the system. Tony breaks down the encouraging start to the season by lefty T.J. House, how he has looked, what he needs to work on, and what the rest of the season may hold for him. In addition to that he has several comments and insight from the front office on players such as Jerrud Sabourin, Joey Wendle, Shawn Morimando, Bryson Myles, Rob Whitenack and more as well as a litany of injury updates on players such as LeVon Washington, Mason Radeke, Alex Monsalve, and more.

Today’s Happenings focus in on the hot start of High-A Carolina second baseman Joey Wendle and Triple-A Columbus right-handed pitcher Fernando Nieve. How much is Wendle rising up the prospect ranks? Could Nieve be an option in Cleveland? Tony touches on that and also looks at the impressive approach that Low-A Lake County first baseman Nellie Rodriguez is showing, the clutch performance of Double-A Akron first baseman Jesus Aguilar, and much more on players like Tim Fedroff, Chun Chen, Owen Dew, Ryan Merritt and more.

The first full edition of Minor Happenings is back for the 2013 season. This is the piece that started it all for this site several years ago, and in today's 4300+ word piece Tony gives all kinds of updates and insights on players up and down the Indians farm system. He talks about Francisco Lindor's impressive start to the season, the aggressive placement of Jose Ramirez, the tough first outing for Mitch Brown, the plan for Cord Phelps, shares a a ton of comments from Ross Atkins, and has all kinds of information and updates on the likes of Jeremy Hermida, Matt Packer, Bryson Myles, Dorssys Paulino and more.

The first edition of Minor Happenings each year typically does not post until the first Thursday after the season opens, but there is a lot to talk about and get everyone caught up on. In today’s special edition of the Happenings, I give an update on Tony Wolters’ move to catcher, introduce Robert Whitenack, break down Tyler Naquin’s great opening night showing, and have all kinds of quotes from the front office on the catchers in the system and where some of the missing players are to start the season.

The minor league 2012 season officially ended for the Indians over the weekend with Double-A Akron winning a league title, but the beat goes on with Instructional League already in session and other fall and winter leagues set to start in the next few weeks. Today, Tony checks in with another Minor Happenings piece and takes a deep look into first baseman Chun Chen's future with the Indians and also provides tons of comments from the Indians front office on the likes of guys named Salazar, Guilmet, Urshela, Radeke, and more. Also, be on the lookout for the first Instructional League game recap later today or first thing tomorrow.

In today’s Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the positive strides that Alex Lavisky has made this season and how he has legitimized himself as a catching prospect. In addition to that he discusses and breaks down how right-handed pitcher Cole Cook is back on the prospect radar, how first baseman Jesus Aguilar has solidified his prospect status this season, and provides tons of comments from Ross Atkins on the Lake County team.

The minor league season may be over, but there is no end in sight for Minor Happenings or the minor league coverage here on the IPI. In this week’s Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the emergence of Low-A Lake County second baseman Jose Ramirez and what kind of prospect he really is, the strong finish from Lake County catcher Jake Lowery, and the good year but unfortunate injury to short season Single-A Mahoning Valley lefty Geoff Davenport. As always, he has lots of quotes on players like Matt Langwell, Carlos Moncrief, Matt Packer and others provided by the front office, and lots more.

In today’s Minor Happenings, Tony looks at the very strong season that High-A Carolina third baseman Giovanny Urshela has had and the jump he has made as a prospect. He also touches on the season that Carolina right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper has had and what it may mean for his future, provides lots of comments from Ross Atkins on some of their rising young Latin American stars, and provides injury updates and more on players like Lars Anderson, Adam Abraham, Carlos Moncrief, Tyler Naquin, and others.t

This week in Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the conservative approach used by the Indians with Danny Salazar and why he has been impressive this season, the strides at the plate made by shortstop Ronny Rodriguez and why he has solidified himself as a top prospect, provide quotes from the front office on players at the rookie level Arizona level, and lots of insight and info on other players like T.J. McFarland, Preston Guilmet, Bo Greenwell, Jake Lowery, Aaron Siliga, Hector Rondon and many more.

In this week’s second edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at the outstanding season to date from shortstop Dorssys Paulino and ponders if he should be the Indians #1 rated prospect. In addition to that he runs down a gauntlet of injuries in the system with updates on LeVon Washington, Clayton Cook, Hector Rondon and others, plus a look at Matt LaPorta’s fade, Giovanny Urshela’s improved power, Matt Lawson’s future, the overlooked but impressive debut of Anthony Santander, and lots more!

In this week’s first edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a look at Tyler Sturdevant's return to form, where he is at in his recovery from injury, and his Major League potential in the near future. He also looks at the progress being made by promising young lefty Luis Lugo in Arizona, why Giovanni Soto was shut down, provides lots of comments from Ross Atkins on the trade deadline decision-making process, plus updates and information on players like Matt Langwell, Chun Chen, Ronny Rodriguez, Jose Ramirez, Robbie Aviles, Claudio Bautista, and more.

There are lots of good things happening in the Indians minor league system and this week Tony touches on the hot pitching of late from Jeanmar Gomez and the incredible turnaround by Tony Wolters, has all sorts of comments from the Indians Player Development staff on players at Mahoning Valley, provides injury updates on several players like Tyler Naquin and LeVon Washington, and lots of stuff on Cord Phelps, Paolo Espino, Todd Hankins, Jerrud Sabourin, Jacob Lee, Nelson Rodriguez and more!

In this week's second edition of Minor Happenings, Tony takes a long, hard look at the Triple-A Columbus roster. He takes a look at the hot hitting Tim Fedroff, Ezequiel Carrera and Jared Goedert and provides insight and analysis on whether they are big league options for the Indians anytime soon, provides several interesting comments from Ross Atkins on how they handle players that are affected by trades as well as some thoughts on Vinny Rottino and J.C. Romero, and more.

With the trade deadline now in the past and my vacation but a distant memory, it is time to get back into the swing of things with Minor Happenings as we head down the home stretch of the minor league season. Today, Tony provides updates on the departing Steven Wright and incoming Lars Anderson, the recent impressive performances from lefties T.J. House and Danny Jimenez, all sorts of goodies from Farm Director Ross Atkins on some pitchers in the system, an update on the health of Jeremie Tice, and more.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!